The next morning, the sun was barely above the horizon when Gabriel, Lina, and Kain returned to the Silver Fangs Guild. The hall was already bustling with activity—members gearing up for missions, guild clerks shuffling papers, and the smell of breakfast wafting through the air. It seemed the guild never truly slept.
Lina stifled a yawn as they made their way toward the mission board. "I could've used a bit more sleep, but I'm ready for whatever comes next."
Kain, as usual, was all business. "We need to pick our next mission carefully. We've proven ourselves, but we're still new. We can't afford any mistakes."
Gabriel walked in silence beside them, his eyes scanning the room. He was searching for any sign of potential threats—or, more accurately, anything that might disrupt his goal of living an ordinary life. But even now, he knew that 'ordinary' was not in his future. Not with the powers he wielded.
When they reached the mission board, Lina's eyes lit up as she scanned the available jobs. "Look at this one! A band of thieves has been spotted near the western forest. They've been ambushing travelers. Sounds like a good challenge."
Kain frowned, his gaze shifting from one mission to the next. "Maybe. But this one here—there's a request from a nearby village. They've been dealing with a strange creature attacking their livestock. Could be more dangerous, but it might bring in more money."
Gabriel remained quiet, letting them debate. His eyes drifted to a mission posted at the very bottom of the board, half-covered by a stack of papers. It was a simple bounty—a local merchant had requested protection while he transported goods to a neighboring town. It was mundane, easy, and exactly the kind of mission Gabriel would have preferred.
Lina noticed where he was looking and tilted her head. "What about that one, Gabriel? It's not as flashy as the others, but it's something."
Kain shook his head, a slight smile on his lips. "That's too easy. We didn't join this guild to guard merchants. We're here to make a name for ourselves."
Gabriel finally spoke, his voice low but firm. "It doesn't matter what the mission is, as long as we get paid. Sometimes, the quiet jobs are the ones that let you stay under the radar."
Kain opened his mouth to argue, but before he could, a new voice cut through the air.
"Well, well, if it isn't the new recruits."
They turned to see **Raven** approaching them, his silver hair catching the light, his scarred face twisted into a smirk. He was accompanied by a few other guild members, all of them watching the trio with interest.
Lina smiled politely, though her eyes were cautious. "Raven, right? We saw you last night."
Raven nodded, his gaze flicking to Gabriel, who met it with a cold, unwavering stare. "That's right. You handled that goblin nest well. But don't think you've proven yourselves just yet. There's more to this life than swinging swords and throwing knives."
Kain crossed his arms, his expression neutral. "We're here to do our part. We're not looking for trouble."
Raven's smirk widened. "Trouble has a way of finding you whether you're looking for it or not. Especially in this guild."
Gabriel's eyes narrowed slightly. He could sense the tension in Raven's words, the underlying challenge. He didn't know what Raven's intentions were, but he didn't like the way the man was watching him—like a predator sizing up its prey.
Lina, sensing the unease, tried to diffuse the situation. "We appreciate the advice, Raven. We're just trying to get our footing. But we're not afraid of hard work."
Raven chuckled, his gaze still locked on Gabriel. "Hard work's one thing. Surviving in this world is another. You might have some talent, but you're all still green."
Kain's jaw tightened, but he kept his voice steady. "We'll learn. Everyone starts somewhere."
Gabriel remained silent, but his mind was already analyzing the situation. Raven was testing them—testing him, specifically. It was clear the man had a reputation within the guild, and Gabriel could see why. There was a dangerous edge to him, a confidence that came from surviving countless battles.
But Gabriel wasn't intimidated. He had faced worse in his past, and he wasn't about to be cowed by anyone, no matter how formidable they seemed.
Finally, Raven shrugged, seemingly satisfied with whatever he'd seen. "Well, good luck to you then. We'll see how you fare in the long run."
With that, Raven and his entourage turned and walked away, leaving the trio in a momentary silence.
Lina let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "That guy's intense. He gives me the creeps."
Kain nodded, his eyes narrowing as he watched Raven's retreating form. "He's dangerous, that's for sure. We'll need to watch our backs around him."
Gabriel said nothing, but his thoughts were racing. Raven was indeed dangerous, but not in the way Kain or Lina realized. It wasn't just his strength or skill in battle—there was something else, something darker. Gabriel could sense it, the same way he could sense the flow of blood in a person's veins. Raven was hiding something, and Gabriel wasn't sure what it was yet.
But for now, he pushed those thoughts aside. They had a mission to choose, and Gabriel wasn't about to let anyone, not even someone like Raven, interfere with his plans.
Lina eventually broke the silence. "So, what do we do? Take the thief mission or the creature one?"
Gabriel spoke before Kain could answer. "We'll take the creature mission."
Kain looked surprised but didn't argue. "Alright. If that's what you want. It's a bigger risk, but the reward could be worth it."
Lina nodded in agreement. "Sounds good to me. Besides, we'll probably learn more by taking on tougher challenges."
With the decision made, they pulled the mission notice from the board and headed to the guild clerk to officially accept it. As they did, Gabriel couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change—that this mission would be more than just a test of their skills.
As they left the guild hall and prepared to set out for the village, Gabriel found himself scanning the streets, his senses heightened. There were too many eyes on them—on him. He could feel the weight of their gazes, the curiosity, the suspicion. It was something he had always dealt with, but now it felt different. More intense.
Lina noticed his unease and nudged him gently. "You alright, Gabriel? You seem more on edge than usual."
Gabriel nodded, his expression as unreadable as ever. "I'm fine. Just… aware."
Kain glanced at him, his eyes thoughtful. "We're in this together, Gabriel. Whatever comes our way, we'll handle it. Just like we did with the goblins."
Gabriel gave a small nod. He knew Kain was right, but the unease gnawed at him all the same. He couldn't shake the feeling that Raven had set something in motion—something that could unravel the careful balance Gabriel had tried so hard to maintain.
As they reached the outskirts of town, Lina looked back at the guild hall one last time. "This is it. Our first real mission as guild members. Let's make it count."
Gabriel followed their lead, but his mind was elsewhere. The mission ahead would be dangerous, but it wasn't the monsters that worried him. It was the people—the ones who watched from the shadows, who whispered in the corners, who plotted and schemed.
He had survived this long by staying in control, by keeping others at arm's length. But now, as they walked into the unknown, Gabriel wondered how much longer he could maintain that control. How much longer he could keep the darkness within him from spilling out.
And for the first time in a long while, Gabriel felt a sliver of doubt—a crack in his cold, emotionless facade.
But there was no turning back now. The mission was set, and the path ahead was clear. Gabriel would face whatever came next, just as he always had. With cold resolve, with his blood as his weapon, and with the knowledge that no matter how hard he tried, the life he sought—the ordinary life he craved—might always be just out of reach.